No agreement has been made between LAUSD and teacher's union over averting a strike

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The fight between the LAUSD and the teachers union is heating up the closer we get to the strike date of January 10. The district released a statement on Wednesday from the superintendent that angered the union.

United Teachers Los Angeles has been negotiating a new contract with the LA Unified School District for nearly two years.

In August, the union held a strike-authorization vote.

In December the two sides apparently agreed on a 6-percent raise. But the union is also demanding smaller classes and more staff.

In a statement released today Superintendent Austin Beutner accused the union of being unwilling to negotiate since December 17.

In the statement, Beutner claimed UTLA has not been willing to engage in contract negotiations since December 17.

The statement went on to assert that the fact finding report recommended a 6-percent pay raise with back pay and UTLA's own appointee concurred.

The union fired back with this statement:

'UTLA has not received a bargaining proposal from LAUSD since October 30 and UTLA is not refusing to bargain.'

If no deal is reached teachers will go on strike starting January 10.

The district has planned for it by hiring hundreds of substitute teachers.